NBA News

Myles Turner • C • Bucks

Myles Turner Expected to Play Friday vs. Nuggets

Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (ankle) is probable to play Friday against Denver after missing one game. His return would tighten Milwaukee's frontcourt rotation, cutting into Bobby Portis' upside after the veteran big delivered 15 points, six rebounds, and nine assists in 37 minutes Wednesday. Turner's recent play has been uneven, averaging 11.2 points and 4.8 rebounds over his last five, which keeps expectations modest. Fantasy managers should view Turner as a low-end hold, while Portis slides from short-term standard-league value back to a capped bench role when Turner is active.

Jan 23

Sam Merrill • SG • Cavaliers

Sam Merrill to Miss Fourth Straight Game Friday

Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Sam Merrill (hand) will miss Friday's game against Sacramento, marking his fourth straight absence as he continues to manage a right-hand sprain. With Merrill and Darius Garland (toe) sidelined, Cleveland is again leaning on Jaylon Tyson for secondary scoring and playmaking. Tyson delivered 14 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 31 minutes last game, giving him short-term value in standard formats. Craig Porter Jr. also continues to see an expanded role, though his seven points, one rebound, and two assists in 18 minutes keep him capped as a low-end option.

Jan 23

Bennedict Mathurin • SG • Pacers

Bennedict Mathurin Remains Sidelined vs. Thunder

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) will miss Friday against Oklahoma City as he continues to recover from a right thumb sprain and has now missed 10 straight games. Indiana will keep leaning on Aaron Nesmith and second-year wing Johnny Furphy, though results have been uneven. Nesmith is mired in a slump, shooting 23.1 percent from the field over his last five starts. Furphy has shown flashes with 7.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over that stretch, though the production has been volatile and is best left for deeper formats.

Jan 23

Alex Caruso • SG • Thunder

Alex Caruso to Miss Another Game Friday vs. Indiana

Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Alex Caruso (adductor) will sit out Friday against Indiana, extending his absence as the Thunder continue to manage his workload. With Caruso and Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) sidelined and Aaron Wiggins (groin) carrying a questionable tag, Oklahoma City's wing rotation thins again. That creates a short-term opportunity for Isaiah Joe, who logged five points in 25 minutes last game and offers situational three-point streaming value in deeper leagues. Caruso remains a defensive-category specialist when active, but his limited scoring profile keeps his fantasy ceiling capped.

Jan 23

Ajay Mitchell • PG • Thunder

Ajay Mitchell Won't Play Friday Against Indiana

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) will miss Friday's game against Indiana after exiting early Wednesday, sidelined by an abdominal strain. His absence opens short-term backcourt minutes, pushing Cason Wallace, Luguentz Dort, and Isaiah Joe into larger roles. Wallace logged nine points, two rebounds, two assists, and four steals in 31 minutes last game, making him a viable deep-league streamer for defensive stats. Dort adds scoring stability after scoring 13 points with three three-pointers, while Joe remains a low-usage specialist. Mitchell remains a hold in deeper formats, with a return possible Sunday.

Jan 23

Isaiah Hartenstein • C • Thunder

Isaiah Hartenstein Still Sidelined Friday Against Indiana

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) will not play Friday against Indiana and remains sidelined by a lingering soleus strain that has kept him out since late December. With no clear timetable, fantasy managers should treat Hartenstein as a stash only in deeper formats. His continued absence opens frontcourt minutes for Kenrich Williams, who logged 18 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes last game, while Branden Carlson added nine points and six rebounds in 16 minutes. Jaylin Williams' (glut) questionable status further boosts Kenrich's streaming appeal in deeper leagues, with fringe standard-league value if minutes hold.

Jan 23

Jonathan Kuminga • PF • Warriors

Jonathan Kuminga Leaves Thursday's Game With Knee Issue

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (knee) was ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's game against Dallas after exiting early with left knee soreness and is scheduled for an MRI on Friday. Kuminga logged 10 points on 3-3 shooting, one rebound, two assists, and two steals in nine minutes before being shut down as a precaution. Recently back in the rotation following Jimmy Butler III's (knee) season-ending injury, Kuminga remains a hold if cleared quickly. Any absence would boost minutes for De'Anthony Melton, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski, while Draymond Green's usage could tick up in smaller lineups.

Jan 23

Deni Avdija • SF • Trail Blazers

Deni Avdija Likely Available Friday Despite Back Scare

Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Deni Avdija (back) exited Thursday's game against Miami early after feeling discomfort, but is expected to suit up Friday versus Toronto, according to coach Tiago Splitter. Avdija was productive before leaving, posting 20 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 18 minutes, and has been on a heater lately, averaging 27.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.8 three-pointers, and 1.2 steals in 32.5 minutes over his last five games. Fantasy managers should treat him as a confident hold, though any late scratch would funnel extra usage to Shaedon Sharpe and Jrue Holiday.

Jan 23

Norman Powell • SG • Heat

Norman Powell Ready to Face Trail Blazers

Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell (back) will play in Thursday's matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Although the team downgraded Powell from probable to questionable earlier in the day, he is now listed as available. Powell is dealing with lower back tightness, which may affect his performance against Portland. Recently, the 32-year-old has been in excellent form, shooting 42.1 percent from beyond the arc and averaging 23.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists across the last five games.

Jan 23

Robert Williams III • C • Trail Blazers

Robert Williams III Active Thursday Night

Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (knee) will be in the lineup on Thursday against the Miami Heat. He was unavailable for the last game on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings when Portland concluded a back-to-back set. Thursday's game kicks off another back-to-back for the team, making it likely that Williams III will sit out Friday's matchup against the Toronto Raptors. With Williams III returning, Duop Reath and Yang Hansen will slide down the depth chart on Thursday.

Jan 23

Jerami Grant • PF • Trail Blazers |

Sidy Cissoko • SF • Trail Blazers

Jerami Grant, Sidy Cissoko Cleared to Play

Portland Trail Blazers forwards Jerami Grant (Achilles) and Sidy Cissoko (illness) will be active against the Miami Heat on Thursday night. Both were listed as questionable on the injury report. A couple of hours before tip-off, Portland upgraded Grant and Cissoko to probable, and they have now been listed as available. Grant will rejoin the action after missing the second leg of a back-to-back on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings. Cissoko has started seven consecutive games, but with Grant and Jrue Holiday back from lengthy injury absences, he may soon lose his spot in the first unit.

Jan 23

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Returns to Action Thursday

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) will return from a three-game absence on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, NBA insider Chris Haynes reports. The Clippers initially listed Leonard as questionable on the injury report. With Leonard back, Kobe Sanders is likely to return to the second unit. Leonard has been a man on a mission since the turn of the year, averaging 29.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.5 steals, while shooting 42.5 percent from three-point range.

Jan 23

Jrue Holiday • PG • Trail Blazers

Jrue Holiday Available Against Heat

Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (calf) will play on Thursday against the Miami Heat, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports. The veteran will be back in action after skipping the second leg of a back-to-back on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings. Holiday recently returned from a right calf injury, averaging 10.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 steals in 19.3 minutes. He has been productive since returning, but the team has understandably limited Holiday's workload following his two-month injury layoff.

Jan 23

Davion Mitchell • PG • Heat

Davion Mitchell Will Miss Thursday's Game

Miami Heat point guard Davion Mitchell (shoulder) won't play Thursday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. He has been trending in the wrong direction throughout the day, and the team has downgraded Mitchell from doubtful to out before tip-off. Last week, Mitchell injured his left shoulder. He returned to the lineup on Monday and played in both games of a back-to-back set, but it appears his shoulder still hasn't fully healed. Kasparas Jakucionis saw an increased workload with Mitchell out of the rotation last week and is likely to see significant minutes again, especially with Tyler Herro (ribs) also sidelined.

Jan 23

Santi Aldama • PF • Grizzlies

Santi Aldama Won't Play Friday

Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Santi Aldama (knee) will miss Friday's contest against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Spanish veteran is experiencing right knee soreness, forcing him to skip a second consecutive game. Following Aldama's exit from the lineup, John Konchar started in Wednesday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Unfortunately, he had a quiet evening with two points in 21 minutes. GG Jackson II also logged 21 minutes as a member of the second unit, contributing nine points, two rebounds, one assist, and two blocks. Both players could have expanded roles again on Friday night, though neither looks like a reliable fantasy option.

Jan 23

Ja Morant • PG • Grizzlies

Ja Morant to Skip Friday's Game

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant (elbow) won't play on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans. After returning from a calf problem, Morant managed to make two appearances before suffering a new injury. He is on the injury report with a UCL sprain in his left elbow. Morant's absence on Friday will likely give Cam Spencer a chance to rejoin the starting lineup. Spencer has frequently filled in for Morant this season, averaging 11.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 9.3 assists as a starter. It's a good matchup for Spencer, as he faces a team that allows the fourth-most assists to point guards.

Jan 23

Cade Cunningham • PG • Pistons

Cade Cunningham Listed as Questionable for Friday

Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham (hip, illness) is listed as questionable for Friday night's action against the Houston Rockets. He's dealing with a hip contusion and an illness, and these issues might keep Cunningham on the shelf for a second consecutive game. If that's the case, Daniss Jenkins will continue in a starting role. He totaled 17 points, one rebound, four assists, two blocks, and two steals in Wednesday's win over the Indiana Pacers. Friday's matchup will be much tougher, but Jenkins could still make some noise in a larger role.

Jan 23

Jeremy Sochan • PF • Spurs

Jeremy Sochan Active Against Jazz

San Antonio Spurs forward/center Jeremy Sochan (illness) has been upgraded to available for Thursday's meeting with the Utah Jazz. He was initially listed as questionable by the team. Unfortunately, Sochan hasn't been relevant in fantasy basketball this season, averaging 4.4 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13.5 minutes across 26 appearances. On Thursday night, Sochan could play a role in the rotation because Luke Kornet (adductor) is absent from San Antonio's lineup.

Jan 23

Brice Sensabaugh • SF • Jazz

Brice Sensabaugh Returns From Two-Game Absence

Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (illness) has been cleared to return from a two-game absence on Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs. He was initially listed as questionable for the matchup. Sensabaugh missed a back-to-back set at the start of the week due to illness. Before landing on the shelf, he had an eye-popping three-game stretch, during which he averaged 31.7 points and 5.3 rebounds with 61.4 percent shooting. Sensabaugh's hot streak could continue on Thursday night, as Lauri Markkanen's (conditioning) absence should provide him with additional scoring opportunities.

Jan 23

Keyonte George • SG • Jazz

Keyonte George Good to Go Thursday

Utah Jazz point guard Keyonte George (forearm) has shed a questionable tag and will play in Thursday's contest against the San Antonio Spurs. This is great news for the Jazz, who remain without Lauri Markkanen (conditioning). George had a career-high 43 points in Tuesday's win over the Minnesota Timberwolves and has been his team's offensive leader recently. Over the last six games, George has averaged 29.3 points and 5.7 assists. This stretch includes a 30-point, six-assist effort against the Spurs on Monday night.

Jan 23

NBA News

LEGEND